Great evening fantastic families,

We are in week 5 of the current term and just 1 week away from Thanksgiving break. Each thanksgiving I take a moment to reflect on all the GREAT things I have in my life, and I must admit that being the Principal of Kealing Middle School has truly been a reason to give thanks. It has been a joy watching our scholars grow from week to week as they settle back into In- Person learning and seeing the way teachers have bounced back and are utilizing the tools acquired during last year’s pandemic has been equally as rewarding. I also appreciate the messages and support we have received from parents throughout this process. You all have given us great ideas and came on campus to assist with challenges we have had. Our newest challenge has been acquiring substitute teachers when our amazing teachers need to take personal/sick days, so if there are any parents who are able to serve as AISD substitutes please pick up jobs at Kealing. This past week we had a great Kealing showcase where for the first time we showcased both of our amazing programs and we had a great turnout. This upcoming week we look forward to more Hornet basketball and soccer. We also have a title I parent compact meeting Tuesday afternoon, COVID Vaccine Clinic Wednesday afternoon, PTA meeting Thursday morning, and a CAC meeting Thursday afternoon. Thank you for choosing Kealing Middle School and Austin ISD as your child’s primary educator. #BEGREATmentality

#ProgressNotPerfection

It is important that our Hornets participating in high school credit classes, perform well on their semester exams, as they will count towards a percentage of their semester grades. To help prepare, please have your student attend teachers' Office Hours. Reach out to you student's teachers or Program Directors if you have any questions.

We will be celebrating the opening reception of our group show, Pieces and Parts, and experiencing musical performances by the electrically aligned Ivy Roots, and ATX's most ‘Ballsy’ Mama Duke!

Every year Carver Museum invites three artists of Color on the rise to participate in a group show during the Studio Tours. ' Pieces and Parts' features Textile artist Siena Smith, experimental animator Julia Zipporah, and concept artist Alexis Hunter.

Register Here

Hello, Children & Nature Team!

Fall migration season is in full swing - a great time to get out to the parks with binoculars in tow. This week we have a collection of community updates including summits and fellowship opportunities along with some community events and exciting award announcements.

OPPORTUNITIES

• EngineerGirl Ambassador Program - applications are now open for the 2022-2023 EngineerGirl Ambassadors Program! An EngineerGirl Ambassador is a female, U.S. high school student who designs, develops, and implements a project in her local community that will encourage younger girls - particularly those with little access to engineering role models - to think about engineering and engineering careers and give them practical experience in engineering design. Ambassadors will receive training and support from the National Academy of Engineering, $250 in project funding, an all-expense paid trip to a training and networking event, and more. The deadline to apply is March 15, 2022.
  
• NGCP Fellows Program - the National Girls Collaborative Project is offering a remote-based, nine-month professional development program open to early career professionals, and graduate students interested in gender equity and informal STEM education. Fellows will contribute to NGCP’s ongoing STEM and equity projects and will have diverse opportunities to learn and collaborate with the NGCP national network. Fellows will also participate in advanced training on gender equity and cultural responsiveness and receive ongoing mentorship and support. Application deadline is November 23, 2021.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

• Hot Science at Home: Space Environmentalism - the Environmental Science Institute's next Hot Science At Home event will feature Dr. Moriba Jah on Nov 12th at 7:00pm. The talk will be streamed through YouTube and Facebook and will focus on what we can do to make space safe, secure and sustainable in the long term.
  
• Odditree + Austin Studio Biking Tour - Odditree Society and Ghisallo Cycling Initiative are hosting a bike ride on Nov 14 from 2-4:00pm to connect with trees and art in Austin. Meet at 654 Tillery St, under the 7th Street overpass near the Tree Garden. All ages and abilities welcome! Skill level: Beginner.

INSPIRATION

• Net-Zero Hero: Sheridan Ray - our own Youth Leadership Working Group Tri-Chair Sheridan Ray was featured this month as the Office of Sustainability's Net-Zero Hero. From interning with the Youth Forest Council to advising on the Climate Equity Plan, Sheridan has had a large impact on Austin's conservation community in her 19 years. Thank you, Sheridan, for being a champion of equity and sustainability in Austin!
  

That's all for now - keep an eye to the sky for our traveling monarch friends!

Julia Hill (she/her)

Program Coordinator – Cities Connecting Children to Nature

City of Austin | Parks & Recreation Department | Park Planning Division

+1 512-974-9466 | julia.hill@austintexas.gov

http://www.austintexas.gov/CCCN

Facebook -https://www.facebook.com/KealingMS/

Hornet Herald - http://www.kealingmiddleschool.org/parents/hornet-herald

Twitter - @KTXHornets

Webpage - https://kealing.austinschools.org/